Born in Dundee, he studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) before making his London debut as Orlando in As You Like It in 1967. His subsequent West End appearances include Alan Bennett's Getting On (1971) and Eugene O'Neill's Strange Interlude (1984). His Royal Shakespeare Company performances include Danton in Pam Gems's The Danton Affair (1986), Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew (1987) and the title role in Titus Andronicus (1987). His many television appearances include roles in The Lost Language of Cranes (1991), The Cloning of Joanna May (1992), Grushko (1994), Nuremberg (2000, Emmy award) and Deadwood (2006). Since appearing as the original Hannibal Lecter in Manhunter (1986), he has become a prolific screen actor; his notable films include Hidden Agenda (1990), Rob Roy (1995), The Bourne Identity (2002), X-Men 2 (2003),Troy (2004), Zodiac (2007) and The Escapist (2008). He was awarded the CBE in 2003.